Date posted: 4-5-01

Editors: You are encouraged to use this story in your publication. Please credit the author and DeKalb News Service as shown. And, please send two tearsheets to: Jim Killam, Department of Communication, Watson Hall, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115.

Nightclub renovates, brings big-name bands

By Jeff Goluszka

DeKalb News Service

DeKALB -- Otto's Nightclub, a popular outlet for live music here, recently came under new ownership, which already has brought bigger-name bands and begun indoor renovations.

The club, located at 118 E. Lincoln Highway, gained a new owner in Duff Rice in early March. Before Rice's arrival, Otto's hadn't offered much more than DeKalb- and Chicago-based local bands.

Rice already has scheduled more famous bands like the Violent Femmes (April 23), The Urge (April 4) and Yngwie Malmsteen (April 16).

"We felt there's been a void of that caliber talent in this city, and we want to fill that void," Rice said. "If you go to any major college town you'll see big names. People don't have the opportunities to see big-name bands out here. … We want to bring in national touring artists that everybody in DeKalb can relate to."

This is a welcome addition to DeKalb culture for some NIU students.

"I think it's killer that they're getting some big-name bands," said Eric Kirwan, a senior English major.

The club also has undergone some minor renovations, Rice said.

"We put new felt on the pool tables and we moved some tables around to make more dance floor room," he said. "We've also got new video arcade games for customers and we plan to remodel the bathrooms this summer."

The renovations weren't immediately necessary, Rice said, but the changes have been welcomed.

"I think it's excellent. They're putting the service back into the service industry," Kirwan said.

Rice replaced former owner John Daniels, who will remain as a consultant. Rice's connections in the industry have allowed him to book bands like the Violent Femmes, he said.

"I've been doing it [booking] for 15 years. I have relationships with major booking agencies across the States," Rice said.

Otto's always has received good marks for its Underground, another club area within Otto's, which has no cover price. Despite campus rumors that the club would start charging, the truth is just the opposite.

"We're never gonna do it. We're not going to charge a cover for the Underground," Rice said. "We want to make the Underground people happy."

A renovation of the underground is to take place within the next 12 to 16 months, he said.

Although some drinks have increased in price, Otto's has implemented drink specials to offset price increases.

As for the future, Rice plans to continue to work on bringing big-name bands to DeKalb.

"We are working on a lot of bigger names, and I think come fall semester we're gonna have a very big lineup," Rice said. "Keep an eye out for big-name bands coming."

Source list:
* (Duff Rice, Otto's owner, 758-2715)
* (Eric Kirwan, 26-year-old senior English major)